By Michael Vincent and wires
Updated October 24, 2011 06:41:01
Photo: Libyans wave their new national flag as they celebrate following the official of liberation in the eastern city of Benghazi. (AFP: Abdullah Doma )
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Map: Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Libya's transitional government has declared national liberation before a jubilant crowd in Benghazi, where the revolt against Moamar Gaddafi began.
Tens of thousands of people packed into Freedom Square to hear National Transitional Council officials make the announcement and outline plans for the future of the country.
Days after Gaddafi's death, Libyans are taking to squares across the country to celebrate the fact that they are now officially liberated.
National Transitional Council head Mustafa Abdul Jalil made the announcement in Benghazi, before stepping down.
A new government will be formed but for now all across Libya people are shouting, they are cheering, they are celebrating.
Gaddafi is gone and a new era has begun. Libyans are free to choose their own leader.
"We declare to the whole world that we have liberated our beloved country, with its cities, villages, hill-tops, mountains, deserts and skies," said an official who opened the ceremony.
"This is the best day of my life," said Mohammed Sharif, 26, an unemployed youth dancing and clapping along with a group of friends in Benghazi's Kish Square.
Green, red and black flags - the symbol of the revolution that toppled Gaddafi - have filled the buoyant Mediterranean city where men, women and children have gathered to celebrate.
"This is a historic day and I am happy that I am here, in my country, on this day," said Mr Sharif who, just a few years earlier, frustrated by oppression and unemployment, had considered leaving the country.
"Thank God I did not go," said the young man brimming with enthusiasm and optimism, adding that his country would not let the blood of "all the martyrs" who died for freedom go to waste.
"In a few years, Libya will be one of the brightest states in the Arabic and Islamic word," he said.
Car speakers blasted revolutionary songs and the old national anthem that was used at the time of the monarchy, and which was adopted by anti-Gaddafi forces.
Benghazi, best known as the cradle of the revolt that broke out in February and escalated into civil war, was the initial headquarters of the National Transitional Council (NTC) until August when its fighters, backed by NATO, seized Tripoli.
Photo: Libyan children play on a tank as weapons and other items belonging to the former regime are displayed in Misrata on October 23, 2011. (Philippe Dezmazes)
The conflict has cost tens of thousands of lives, massive repairs are needed to infrastructure, but for now that is being put aside to celebrate the beginning of a new era.
Fighters hugged each other in front of banners and pictures of the victims killed in the eight-month-long conflict.
Police deployed in large numbers to reinforce security ahead of what promised to be a speech for the history books.
"I am very, very happy," said Hamida Adam, a paediatrician, carrying a giant flag along with her friends and relatives.
"Moamar Gaddafi is no more. We are free. Libya is free."
The NTC had promised to proclaim the country's liberation after Sirte, Gaddafi's hometown and last bastion of support, fell and the strongman was controversially killed after being captured alive on Thursday.
Reports that he may have been executed have alarmed governments and rights groups but the NTC insists he was shot in the head when he was caught "in crossfire" between his supporters and new regime fighters.
The long-awaited declaration paves the way for the formation of an interim government followed by the first free vote in Libya since Gaddafi seized power in a coup 42 years ago.
Road to democracy
Libya's acting rulers have already announced the first free elections within eight months to elect a proper interim government ahead of full presidential elections at a later date.
Acting prime minister Mahmoud Jibril, who is stepping down from the job, says Libya's new leaders will have a very limited opportunity to put aside their differences and unite the country.
Many in Libya and abroad fear that tribal and regional rivalries could spark further violence, especially while the many militias involved in the war retain their arms.
Meanwhile, there's still uncertainty over what the country's new leaders will do with Gaddafi's body.
Some reports from the National Transition Council suggest the former leader's body will be given to his relatives.
But other NTC officials say no final decision has been made.
Residents in Misrata are continuing to line-up to see the body which is still on display in a freezer at a shopping centre.
The country's chief pathologist says an autopsy on Gaddafi's body confirms that he died from a gunshot to the head.
ABC/AFP
Topics: world-politics, unrest-conflict-and-war, libyan-arab-jamahiriya
First posted October 23, 2011 22:29:59
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